Quarter Horses: Hi Octane notches first stakes with Golden State Derby

Hi Octane, the fastest qualifier from three time trials on Aug. 15, won the first stakes final of his career in his fourth appearance in such a race in Saturday’s $171,900 Golden State Derby at Los Alamitos.

The Golden State Derby is the track’s premier summertime race for 3-year-old Quarter Horses.

Ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo, Hi Octane chased early leader French Valley before taking the lead midway through the 400-yard race. The favorite, Hi Octane ($3.40) finished three-quarters of a length in front of 9-1 Fancy Upp, who was a nose in front of 18-1 Cmhowaboutthemcowboy in a field of 10.

Hi Octane was timed in 19.59 seconds.

A gelding by Apollitical Jess, Hi Octane has won 6 of 13 starts and earned $338,680 for Keith Nellesen. Hi Octane is trained in California by Kristen Watanabe.

Last December, Hi Octane was promoted from fourth to third in the $1.8 million Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity, the track’s richest race. In May at Delta Downs, Hi Octane finished third by a half-length in the $112,225 Old South Derby.

Hi Octane is nominated to the Los Alamitos Super Derby at 400 yards, which has time trials on Oct. 18 and a final on Nov. 8. The race has a projected purse of $1 million. In 2025, the Los Alamitos Super Derby had a purse of $894,200.

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